Search

To explore the potential effect of industrial transfer on carbon lock-in in China, this paper constructed the measurement formula of industrial transfer based on output and demand, and calculated carbon lock-in according to carbon sink and carbon emissions. By means of a spatial autoregressive model and a panel threshold model, we discussed the spatial spillover of carbon lock-in and the effect of industrial transfer. The findings are as follows: (1) The level of carbon lock-in does have a positive spatial spillover effect between economic neighboring provinces. (2) The effect of industrial transfer on carbon lock-in depends on industry characteristics. (3) Technological progress has direct and indirect carbon unlocking effects, energy structure, trade openness and increased fiscal expenditure exacerbate the carbon lock-in dilemma, while economic growth and carbon lock-in show an inverted "U" relationship. (4) There is a non-linear relationship between industrial transfer and carbon lock-in. Finally, we propose some recommendations to reduce dependence on high-carbon fossil energy and speed up the process of carbon unlocking in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Australia recently introduced a mandatory carbon price, this paper provides a rare perspective of how such institutional changes influence consumer preferences for voluntary climate action. When examined using three contingent valuation questions, the results show that the compliance mechanism induces a substantial reduction in the number of air travellers who are willing to pay extra for voluntary carbon offsets and in the payment amount, although the crowding-out effect is incomplete. A disproportionately larger welfare benefit is attached to the carbon offsets for a domestic flight than its international counterpart. Overall empirical findings advocate the continued role of voluntary programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been increasing interest in whether low carbon cities developed under Chinese institutional arrangements can facilitate a transformative change. Unlike their western counterparts, Chinese low carbon cities are mainly developed through a top-down approach characterized by strong regulatory influences and centrally-led pilots. Inspired by insights from institutional theory, this paper assessed the progress that has been made in Chinese low carbon cities through understanding urban actors' willingness and capacity to pursue more radical changes. Based on semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, it is found that due to the low recognition of the intrinsic value of carbon reduction, low carbon transition was largely represented as a practical discussion around national binding targets and local economic development. Following this, it is suggested that any attempt to speed up urban low carbon transition should consider strengthening incentive structures for cultural or paradigm change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon emissions emanating from infrastructure construction are substantial, and public infrastructure clients have begun to include carbon reduction goals in their procurement requirements. This is a new and complex field where practices vary and are still developing. Based on project documentation and interviews we map and analyze the design and implementation of carbon reduction requirements in projects by leading infrastructure clients in Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, the US and the UK. Procurement requirements were influenced by concerns for tender competition, transaction costs and innovation, and further adapted to project delivery models, market maturity and client capabilities. Increasing awareness of practical and contextual constraints often led to modified strategies. This paper identifies factors that should be considered when designing carbon policies and requirements. This knowledge is important for clients and governments in order to develop more effective strategies for learning between contexts. Policies and future research should address client capabilities to drive long-term innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper constructs a dynamic computable general equilibrium (DCGE) model to investigate the macroeconomic effects of endogenous technical progress in achieving China's 2030 carbon intensity reduction target of 60–65% compared with 2005. We show that a combination of a carbon tax and technological progress can achieve the carbon intensity target in 2030, but it will exert a negative impact on economic growth. This negative effect, however, can be relieved by endogenously directed technological progress in the long term. In doing so, industrial structure and energy structure are dynamically adjusted by inhibiting the output and employment of the coal and oil sectors but promoting that of the clean energy and the service industry. We also find that with technological progress, the unit carbon abatement cost in the long term is estimated to be 200–250 yuan/ton, much lower than that in the short term (over 367 yuan/ton). Several policy implications are discussed accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a study that examines the effect of some key drivers on the construction contractors’ adoption of carbon reduction strategies. An industry survey was conducted in Victoria, Australia, for data collection. Interviews with industry experts were conducted to validate the survey findings. The results indicate that most carbon reduction strategies are not being adopted in construction projects. Such findings are in line with scholars’ comments on the construction contractors as being apathetic to reduce carbon emissions. The findings further suggested levies on carbon emissions, rewarding schemes and training and education as the effective drivers of carbon reduction. This study contributes to a deeper understanding about driving contractors' behavioural change to achieve carbon reduction. This provides valuable insights into devising pragmatic measures to reduce carbon emissions in projects. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Whilst the existence of global climate change is no longer seriously contested and most governments are seeking to adopt appropriate responses, the rate of engagement with these measures is slow. Top-down policies and reliance on market mechanisms are failing to produce the reductions in energy demand and shifts away from fossil fuel reliance that are required. This paper outlines an example of a research programme that seeks to deliver more rapid change. It focuses on the potential for carbon emission reduction in a deprived community in South Yorkshire, UK, and reports on an approach that could be replicated elsewhere. The method includes estimation of baseline energy demand, energy efficiency potential and renewable energy resource assessment as a precursor to action. An innovative community-based energy service company is described and the benefits of a community-based bottom-up approach to carbon reduction are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the tourism economic dynamics under the carbon intensity target policy with macroeconomic uncertainty. Using a novel multi-sector dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model, this article presents the impulse responses of the tourism economy to productivity shocks and carbon intensity target shocks in terms of output, employment, and consumption. The results show that, generally, productivity shocks have positive effects while carbon intensity target shocks negatively affect the tourism aggregate economy. The reduced carbon intensity target offsets these positive effects as well as enlarging these negative effects. Furthermore, the effects of exogenous shocks vary significantly across tourism sectors. As a whole, tourism-related transport and accommodation sectors are the most affected. In addition, different carbon intensity targets mean the different volatility and persistence of the effects of exogenous shocks. This study contributes to a better understanding of tourism economic dynamics under a specific emissions policy, thereby contributing to relevant decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing anxiety over global warming, some groups have advocated the mandatory carbon labeling of products, whereas other groups have opposed such labeling. How consumers respond to carbon labels is a key question with important implications for both policy-makers and managers. Using a random nth-price auction experiment together with a questionnaire, we systematically examined the extent to which Chinese consumers care about environmental impacts and how their willingness to pay (WTP) is influenced by carbon labels. We have determined that WTP significantly increases for products with added carbon labels and decreases when the carbon emissions of a product increase. This response to carbon information disclosure is influenced by factors such as the gender and awareness of environmental pollution by the consumer. This study offers valuable insights to policy-makers and managers for carbon labeling promotion and product positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]